Cerebral Palsy is not curable, non-progressive, a non-contagious disorder of body movement, muscle rigidity or posture caused by either injury or abnormal development of the immature brain prior to, during or in the first few years following childbirth. There are four general types of cerebral palsy: spastic, ataxic, dyskinetic and athetoid. While the damage to the brain does not get worse over time, the impact on the body usually does.
Spastic cerebral palsy is by far the most prevalent type affecting approximately 70-80% of all people diagnosed with the disorder. In simple terms, for people with spastic cerebral palsy, the electronic signals from the brain to the body's muscle system is compromised. This neuromuscular mobility impairment is known as being hypertonic. Healthy muscles function in pairs to help the body move and perform tasks. As one muscle contracts, its partner relaxes. Normal muscles have enough tone to maintain posture and fluid, the flexible movement against the forces of gravity. The disorder of spastic CP causes both muscles to contract simultaneously, hampering movement and putting undue tension on the muscles. Over a period of time, the constant contraction of the muscles can lead to muscle and joint deformities, an inhibition of movement, longitudinal growth and protein synthesis in muscle cells.
Spastic CP may affect only a small number of muscles or muscle groups or by widespread throughout the body.
Spastic monoplegia is when only one part of the body is affected.
Spastic hemiplegia is when one side of the body is affected. People with this type are the most ambulatory and may exhibit a limp on the affected side.
Spastic diplegia is when the lower part of the body (both legs) is affected with normal spasticity to the upper body. Most are ambulatory but may have noticeably affected gait.
Spastic triplegia is when three limbs of the body are affected.
Spastic quadriplegia is when both arms and both legs are affected.
There is no cure for cerebral palsy, but numerous treatments exist all designed in some way to weaken the tension and reduce muscle spasm. Some of the more commonly sought treatments include:
Physical Therapy & physiotherapy- one of the most prevalent and important treatments and strengthens muscles to promote healthy bone growth, improve balance and maximize motor function
Oral medications - muscle relaxers such as diazepam, baclofen, and dantrolene; anticonvulsants such as gabapentin, lamotrigine, and topiramate
Botox injections - to intentionally weaken the muscles that are over-contracted
Surgical Procedures - to lengthen muscles
Electrical Muscle Stimulation - used to simulate proper dual muscle response
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy - hyper oxygenating a patient to repair aid in the repair, regeneration, and rehabilitation of damaged and non-functioning cells.
Hippotherapy - the use of horseback riding to facilitate physical, occupational and speech therapy
The goal of any treatment program is to inhibit the effects the disorder has on the body and provide the child with as much mobility and normal functionality as possible, both now and later in life. Thanks in large part to the internet, the amount of resources and sources of information available to families of children with cerebral palsy has mushroomed. Advancements in medicine, technology, and therapies are bringing better and more effective treatments to those afflicted with spastic cerebral palsy.
